Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 19

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1228

USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 19

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Some political feeling was temporarily roused by a change in the postoffice. Robert Tillson, a whig, who had held the office for ten or twelve years, was removed and a MIr. Clifford, a Tyler- ite from Alton, appointed in his place. Major Wm. G. Flood, and Samnel Leech were re-ap- pointed respectively register and receiver of the public land office. Judge Donglas having been elected to congress, his place on the bench was filled by the appointment of Jesse B.

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Thomas, Ir .. a son of Jesse B. Thomas, who was one of the first two U. S. senators, from linois. and who is credited with being the author of the famous Missouri compromise. Judge Thomas held this position for about two years only, when he resigned and was sneceeded by Norman Il. Purple, whose term was ended by the new constitution in 1848.

This was in some measure a comparatively quiet and slow business year, yet it was marked with an unusual degree of local feeling and ex- citement. The old abolition and Mormon dis- turbanees had been temporarily allayed, to re- appear, however, in the near future, but there remained the unsettled publie school question, the strife over the county seat and county divi- sion matter. To these the most stirring con- gressional rontest was added, that up to that period this section, or, indeed, the state had ever witnessed.

The political record of Quiney and of Adams ronnty in 1843 is an episode, which demands a more than ordinary detail. It was the era of an entrance into national influence by the state of Llinois. This was on account of not only the increased representation of the state from three to seven members of congress, but also because such a number of younger men. of only state repute heretofore, struck out for a more extended reputation, which many of them fairly won, and maintained to the exclusion of the older politicians, who had for the twenty- five years held the representation of Illinois in the national conneils. Ont of the fourteen can- didates for congress in 1843 one only. Casey, had ever previously served, and only one other, Douglas, had even been a candidate for the honor. The political excitement was more in- tense than has ever attended any similar strife, scarcely excepting the famous discussion fif- teen years later between Douglas and Lincoln. The interest in the election lay in the congress- ional contests, there being at the time neither state nor national ticket in the field. It may be well to state that this year (1843) was the last time that congressmen were elected in the odd mmmbered years.

The next election came off in 1844, and ever since, members of congress have been chosen in the even numbered years with state or presi- dential officials. Before this it sometimes hap- pened that a state would not be represented in the lower house of congress in case that a called session was held during the spring or summer of the odd year. The term of a member be- gins on the 4th of March, although usually the session commences in December. Illinois was thus not represented at the early part of the called session of congress in 1841.

Unusual interest, of course, attached to an election which would determine who were to be the future "great men" of Illinois, and special attention was turned toward the Quincy dis- triet, which was of doubtful politieal complex- ion, and in which the two foremost of rising leaders in their respective parties were pitted in opposition. These were Stephen A. Douglas, the presiding judge on this eirenit, and O. H. Browning, the admitted head of the bar in the western portion of the state, both residents of Quiney, as the contestants. Each enjoyed a prestige of almost unbroken political sneeess, a most devoted party popularity and a personal reputation for consisteney and integrity which was massailable. They were nearly of the same age. Douglas had been a conspicuous pol- itieian from his first coming to the state, Brown- ing, whose eminence was more definitely legal, held an equally prominent political reputation and his ambitions were then strongly in that di- rection. Ile was, and no doubt correctly, con- sidered at the time as the most attractive and able debator of the two. Douglas, though strong on the stump, had not attained that peculiar position he studied for and afterward attained. of being, as he unquestionably ranked in later years, the most popular and powerful stump speaker of the day. Douglas was not the first choice of his party in convention, Judge Cav- arly, of Greene, and Gov. Carlin preceeded him in the early ballots, but the nomination finally fell to him. Browning was nominated by his party without opposition. It is more than prob- able that had either of the two first named above received the democratie nomination, Browning's popularity would have won for himself the election, and it is equally sure that against any other candidate than Browning, Donglas' majority of abont 400 would at least have been doubled. They canvassed the dis- triet together most exhaustively during the early summer months to within less than a week before the election in August, when both were taken down with sickness, which nearly proved fatal, and from the effeet of which, it took many months to restore them. This was the most complete carrying out of the old "stump speaking" custom that could be imagined. The parties traveled together, sometimes slept to- gether, spoke together almost daily at half a dozen or more places in each of the counties. Such exertion naturally brought out an extra- ordinarily large vote.

The result of this spirited contest, between two men whose names have since become na- tional, was that Browning carried the city by a majority of 19 and the county by 410, but was beaten in the district by 409 votes. It is curious

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

to speculate how delayed might have been the growth to eminence of Judge Douglas had he failed at this election. That his great talents would have sooner or later made themselves controlling is true, but his advent to national notice at this peculiar time was several years gained in his movement to fame.

In the county, Marquette or the eastern part not counting, the democratic ticket generally was successful, re-electing J. II. Holton. record- er, and Nicholas Wren, county clerk. JJ. C. Ber- nard contested the election of Wren without success. but four years later had the satisfac- tion of being elected over his former opponent.

At this August election of 1843. excepting for members of congress, political lines were somewhat disregarded. Peter Lott. Timothy Kelly, Ebenezer Moore and Henry Asbury were elected magistrates, all of them respected and capable men. The first two were democrats, the others whigs. Judge Lott was an able law- yer, who had creditably ocenpied the circuit bench, and was subsequently, in 1844, elected to the legislature, served as a captain in the Mexican war, was chosen circuit clerk in 1848. and at the end of his term receiving a federal appointment, removing to the Pacific Coast. where he died. C'apt. Kelly was the most promi- nent Irishman of his day in Quiney, a man of enterprise and means. Ile built the "Kelly building" at the northeast corner of Maine and Fifth streets, where is now the Dodd Build- ing. which was at the time of its erection next to the Quincy HIonse, the most pretentious struc- ture in the town. Ile enlisted in the Mexican war. became a lieutenant, and was killed while bravely fighting at Buena Vista, and his body was brought to Quiney, and buried with honor.

Mr. Moore, who had been twice chosen mayor and afterwards became a banker. was always among the leading men of the place. le re- moved to Washington some twenty years later and died there.

Henry Asbury, the only one of the four now (1883) living, was, for many years an especially efficient and popular magistrate, holding also at various times other important publie trusts. and is the oldest living "Esquire" and proba- bly the oldest licensed lawyer in the city.

At the same time, there were chosen as con- stables, Capt. I. Schwindler, an intelligent and influential German, J. M. Pitman, Wilson Land and Wm. P. Reeder. Of these "Billy" Reeder had been a constable from the earliest times. seeming to have a sort of sinecure claim to the place, like that of old Henry Jasper to the city marshalship. Pitman was afterward twice chosen sheriff. four times mayor and onee elected to the legislature. Lane, yet living here,

subsequently filled the office of sheriff and county treasurer. Mention is made of these of- ficials to show the substantial character of the men to whom public trusts, however, subordi- nate. were given in those days. In the earliest times it necessarily happened in a sparse popula- tion, that officials would sometimes be chosen of limited attainments; later, qualification was much more carefully looked to, far more than it has been since, when partisan dietmm fur- mishes the candidate, and varnishes over the defects of the publie servants.

There was but little change in the federal representation of Quiney. Flood and Leech, as before stated, were reappointed receiver and register of the public land office. These were then highly important and responsible posi- tions, and for them these two men were excep- tionally well fitted. The local feeling over the removal of Mr. Tillson, a whig, from the post- office, was mainly because, both whigs and dem- ocrats, felt that, when the change in the office. which all had expected, occurred. some Quincy democrat should be the lucky recipient, and not an imported stranger, hence both parties united in condemning the appointment. Mr. Clifford's position as postmaster for a couple of years. was no "bed of roses." lle was entirely alone. Vice-President Tyler, who succeeded on the death of President Harrison, had no support- ers in Quiney, and like Vice-President Johnson.

who came in after President Lincoln. he ap- peared to be attempting the construction of a political bridge which would carry himself and his administration over to the party that had not elected him. and although a temporary nse was made of this bridge, yet at the end of the presidential term. both it and its projectors in both cases were ignored by the party they sought, as well as by the party they had aban- doned.

Richard M. Young, who had served for many years as cirenit judge, and during the past six as U. S. Senator, was succeeded in this last of- fice by Sidney Breese, and with this his local connection with Quincy eeased. Most of his after life was spent in public positions at Washing- ton, where he died. He had been, in his various capacities, for many years, the most prominent personage of the place. He was an industrious. exemplary, pure minded man, of more than average ability as a jurist. and greatly re- spected in private life. On leaving the senate he was elected by the legislature to one of the vacant supreme judgships in the northern part of the state, which he held for a brief period. until he went to Washington.

This was an exceptionally dull business year. Prices ranged very low. as told by figures in

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

the grain and provision market, which have been the general index to business. Wheat sold in June at 70 cents per bushel. in October at 50, and 65 cents about the middle of Novem- ber. Flour during the year ranged from $3.75 to $4.25 per barrel. There was among the five or six mills a falling off in the manufacture of four of several thousand barrels. The provision trade was similarly affected in prices, though the amount produced was somewhat increased. Pork opened at about $2.00, slightly increasing in price as the season advanced. By the middle of December 7,000 hogs had been packed, quite an increase in the product of the same period in the preceding year.

Winter began early, coming in with an un- usually severe snowstorm on the 24th of Oe- tober, but the weather for the first half of the season, was comparatively mild.

A slight ripple of the slumbering pro and anti-slavery feeling ocenrred during the fall, and a county "anti-abolition" was held at Men- don on the 29th of September, followed on the 3d of October by an abolition meeting. The abolition vote in the county at the August elee- tion was 137, and 230 in the congressional dis- fiet.

The two contested election cases created at the August election, that of Barnard vs. Wren for county clerk, and of Conyers vs. Sechorn, for county commissioner, came up, on appeal, on the second of October in the cirenit court, and were then and there exhaustively argued by the best talent of the Adams county bar. A very feverish feeling over these suits had every- where arisen, partly because they blended some- what with the county-seat strife, and also be- cause they had unavoidably assumed a semi- political coloring. Judge Thomas, the immedi- ate successor of Judge Douglas, on the latter's election to congress, before whom these issues were tried, finding this unexpected and awk- ward elephant in his path at the very thresholdl, prudently reserved his decision for three weeks, making a trip in the meantime to Springfield for the purpose, as it was ungenerously as- serted, of ascertaining whether his decision, either way given, would be sustained by the supreme court in the event of an appeal being

taken from his court. On his return the de- cision was given, on the 25th of October, in favor of the two democratie candidates, who had already received the certificates of elec- tion, to which they were probably entitled. It was scarcely fair to thus impugn the course of the big, easy-going judge, but his constitu- tional incertitude and decided partisanism gave plausibility to the charge. Whether his con- clusion was right or wrong, its force was thus much weakened, and his own standing also.

This decision, like that of Judge Douglas, (to the effect that Marquette, the new county, though as yet unorganized, remained as "at- tached to Adams for judicial purposes,") mix- ing with political interests, or being used by the politician, gave still more complications to the county-seat quarrel.

Judge Thomas was a very large, fat man, an extreme contrast to his recent predecessor, Douglas, and those unfriendly to him, said that the mental contrast was "invertedly equal." This was not just to the judge, who, though somewhat indolent and unstudious, was of re- spectable ability. As heretofore, with the ex- ception of Douglas, our judges had been for many years, home men, the appointment of Judge Thomas was not cordially regarded by some, his judicial course was prejudicially viewed and he was soon transferred to another circuit.

Two "county seat question" campaign papers sprang up during the season, one published at Columbus, the other at Quiney. They ended life with the election. The Herald, the oldest news- paper in this section, suspended on the 19th of August, caused by that chronie complaint, indigenous to western journals, peenniary inanition. It resumed on the 6th of October under the editorial control of E. A. Thompson, whose management during the following months of high political and local excitement was more amusing than satisfactory. The Whig was thus for a brief time the only reg- ularly published newspaper in the county.

The bill for a division of Adams county became a law in February, after having passed through a most prolonged and exhaustive con- test in both houses of the legislature. It created a county called Marquette, which sub- sequently was named Highland. formed from the ten townships on the eastern side of the county. The bill ordained that there should be an election held on the third day of April for county officers, so as to complete the organiza- tion. There had been at home as well as in the general assembly, a sectional strife over this matter during the entire winter. The whole eastern part of the county was averse to a separation, especially when, as in this case, it was made without the consent of the people who were to be thus expatriated. The western portion, on the other hand, the city included, was equally united in behalf of a division. Very large and earnest meetings were almost daily held in various parts of the county, wherein there was much crimination, and after dennejation of the connly representatives at Springfield, wherever their action had not ae- corded, with the local wish. Especially severe was the popular stricture from the eastern part

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

of the county against the action which forced them to seeede contrary to their desire, and it was personally leveled at those representatives who had refused to allow the question to be submitted to a popular vote. No small number of aspiring political reputations went to wreck before this sweeping storm. Browning, ahnost alone of the prominent publie men, managed to rome ont unscathed. He delivered an ad- dress on the 27th of January to a very large meeting in Quiney, in which he vindicated his action in opposition to the division. He showed that though this course was in conflict with the wishes of his immediate neighbors and home friends, and also adverse to his own personal interests, yet that he was pledged thereto and was also bound by a remonstrance against a division containing 1,925 signatures, while all petitions in its favor footed up hut 1,798 sub- seribers. This bold, frank position added much to Mr. Browning's popular strength, as was shown in the surprising majority by which he carried the county at the congressional election.

The election for county officers prescribed in the law creating Marquette county, to be held on the 3rd day of April, was less than a farce. It was a nullity. It did not come off. With a singular unanimity of sentiment. everybody agreed not to vote, and, of course, the county remained unorganized. There was thus pre- sented the singular situation, for several years. of a community elaiming all their politieal rights and exercising only such as they chose to, contesting and voting on state and national issues, but utterly refusing to act on county matters. This was comparatively easy to do for the reason that at that time votes under the viva voce system eould be cast at any pre. cinet in the county. The Marquette men on the day of the election would come over in crowds to Payson or Gilmer or anywhere across the line into Adams and there vote for presi- dent. congressmen and governor. This con- tinned for some three years. The entire failure to have even the form of an election on the third of April as the law required was a point strongly urged to establish the nullity of the entire law. as it was elaimed that an election and organization on that specially prescribed date was an essential, and that with a failure in this feature, the law failed.

Time brought along a partial accommodation to the condition of things, but not a wholly cordial acquiescence therein.

The two decisions heretofore referred to. were constant sources of irritation, since they inevitably came up to thought at every election and every session of the circuit court. They involved questions that had to be met and de-

cided, as they were promptly perhaps correctly, vet they were continually striven over. The decision given by Judge Thomas, because it touched upon the election privileges of the peo- ple, the most sensitive of all publie subjeets, was the most criticised. and yet strictly under the law. looking back to it in later times, it appears more nearly correct than it then was felt to he.

The legislature had excluded the eastern por- tion of Adams county from any participation in the local affairs of what continued to be Adams county, and this was the law as upheld by Thomas. The other decision. that of Judge Douglas. to the effect that the citizens of what was called Marquette county, remained at- tached to Adams for all judicial purposes, seemed valid both in reason and necessity. The territory embraced within the bounds of the contemplated county, had been largely placed in this judicial cireuit, and its political posi- tion only had been afterward ordered to be changed. leaving its judicial associations nn- tonched. It stood in fact as did in former years. Hancock and some of the other counties of the state. which. though established by boundaries. were on account of seant popula- tion, temporarily attached to an organized county. The unreasoning prejudices of the time were so bitter, that. Judge Donglas' course brought against him some partisan criticism. but it did him no injury and his conclusions were generally approved.

Building improvements were not relatively so extensive as they had been during the two or three previous years, yet much of it was of a permanent and substantial character. Some large brick structures were raised on Front street and elsewhere, adding greatly to the appearance of the place. Among others of the more pretentions kind, was the three story briek of A. T. Miller, at the corner of Fourth and Maine street. on the site of the old state bank building. This was, when erected, and for some time afterward, the largest store in the city, and quite notable for that reason. It was the Parker building in which the Herald office was long located and which was destroyed by fire in 1870.

Education received a beneficial advance in the establishment of three excellent private schools. a long felt need. One was the boys' school of C. A. Lord. which promised and did well for a year or two, but was then discon- tinned. Another was the boys' school of Messrs. Dayton and Cochrane, who had re- signed their positions in the public schools. These two schools were opened in the fall and winter of 1843. That of Dayton and Cochrane

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

continued for a number of years, latterly under the management of Mr. Dayton alone.

A third enterprise of this kind was the female seminary of Miss Doty, which. though not up to what the place might properly have had. was yet in many respects, a superior institu- tion, and for six or seven succeeding years af- forded as ample and thorough instruction as the average of such institutions in the west. It was at first located on the west side of the pubhe square and afterward in the brick build- ing on the south side of Maine street, east of Sixth, erected specially for this purpose. This enterprise was much fostered by the personal efforts of Miss Catherine Beecher, of the noted Beecher family, who through her interest in the cause of education came to Quincy, and for a while took control of the institution.

The public schools "dragged their slow length along." embarrassed still, somewhat by opposition, but mainly by lack of funds. An effort had been made by petition, to the legis- lature. to have the German taxpayers exempted from the payment of the school tax. This movement was not countenanced generally by the Germans, and failed to sneceed, but the agitation of such an issue was hurtful, and showed its effeet unfortunately in the city vouneil. The feelle and unsupported condition of the publie had become such, that a publie meeting of the people heki on the 6th of Sep- tember, called upon the council to make an ap- propriation of $300 per quarter, and pay up the salaries. The council said that they could noi and would not do so, and that they would resign before so doing. The trustees of schools then directed the teachers to discontinue and the schools were suspended. Cooler conneils. however, soon prevailed. and at a meeting of the conneil. September the 29th, provision was made by the issue of $300 in vonchers, to go as far as it would, and a bond for $1,200. This re-opened the schools, though in a crippled con- dition, and with the loss of their most valuable teachers.

CHAPTER XXI.

1844.

THE GREAT FLOOD. LIBRARY. HISTORICAL

CLUB. MILITARY FEELING. SEVERAL MILI-

TARY COMPANIES ORGANIZED. FIRST ODD

FELLOWS LODGE. DEATH OF DR. NELSON. MOVEMENT TO EDUCATE COLORED CHILDREN. GREAT POLITICAL EXCITEMENT. MORMON

WAR. MORMONS IN POLITICS. PRESUMPTION OF THE MORMONS. SMITH, THEIR LEADER, KILLED. COUNTY SEAT QUESTION SETTLED.

This was the year of the famous "great flood." An almost impreredented rise, at the

same time in May and June, of the Missouri, Illinois and upper Mississippi rivers, spreading over the valleys from bluff to bluff, produced the most extensive and prolonged inundation inat up to that period had been known. The ingjury arising from such a flood was of course very great, and the subsidence of the waters in the fall was followed by unsnal sickness. Throughout the winter of 1843-4. the Miss- issippi had remained very high, being only closed by ice for a few days, from Feb. 14th to 17th, and after that time navigation continued uninterrupted until a temporary freeze on the 12th of December.

Business during the past winter had begun to improve and became more stirring and prosper- ons than in 1843. About twenty thousand hogs were packed, which was a large increase over the product of any former season. Manufactur- ing interests, which had been lately somewhat depressed, revived and continued active. Nearly thirty-five thousand barrels of four were ground by the half dozen mills of the city and neighborhood, this being nearly fifty per cent advance on the preceding year's business. The times still were "hard" and money was scarce. The only paper in circulation not at a discount, was that of the Indiana and Mis- souri state banks.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 19

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1228

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1228